Warlet doesn’t hold back when it comes to honesty in her music. The Brazilian-born, Nova Scotia-based artist uses her platform to explore deep emotions, societal expectations, and the realities of being a neurodivergent Latin immigrant in the music industry. Inspired by artists like Twenty One Pilots and NF, she aims to offer listeners the same sense of understanding and comfort that once guided her through difficult times. With a sound shaped by emo, trap, pop rap, and RnB, her music carries both weight and intensity, reflecting her passion for raw expression. In this interview, she discusses her approach to songwriting, the intersection of her creative skills, and how she balances vulnerability with the energy of live performance.
Warlet, welcome to A&R Factory, it’s a pleasure to have you with us to discuss your backstory, achievements and ambitions. To give our readers an idea of your ethos; what does it mean to you to be an artist?
Thank you guys for having me! It’s a pleasure! To me, being an artist means using one of the most amazing things human beings can do, which is to create, and give it back to people by making something meaningful in any form. I always say that I love making music because I want to make people feel something, whatever that is. Emotions are so beautiful and art is an outlet to explore that on us.
You never shy away from vulnerability in your songwriting; how does it feel to be so candid in your tracks?
I don’t think I could ever be any other way. Being sincere about my feelings is my natural instinct with everything in life, maybe because of my autism, I don’t know really… But to me, vulnerability is powerful and being your true self should always be encouraged in society even though it really isn’t… Talking about the hard things once in a while is just as important as being entertained! I wish we all reminded ourselves of that more often.
What motivates you to speak so openly about these issues?
I think I was heavily inspired by Twenty One Pilots and NF on this one. In different moments of my life, these two artists literally helped me organize my own thoughts and feelings when I needed the most, which led me a moment where I thought to myself, “that’s exactly what I want my music to do to people”. I am motivated by the idea that there is someone out there listening to my song and relating to the lyrics, and that this brings them comfort, just like one day somebody’s music changed my life as well.
What has your experience of the music industry been as a neurodivergent Latin immigrant?
Honestly, the music scene where I live in Nova Scotia is pretty opened and welcoming. These factors do affect my daily experiences in other areas more often than I would like, but at least the music world I am currently in, is one of those safe spaces away from all of this. I know once my horizons open up to the bigger world of music, it will be different, as this is a smaller community, but at least I have a good base to start building on.
What initially drew you to synthesising emo, trap, pop rap and RnB into your sonic signature?
My passion for all these genres! The interesting thing is I think all these genres speak about deep topics whether on a social context or an emotional place, which is probably what drew me into these types of music more. I’m also very attached to heavier sounds overall, I’m passionate about heavier sounding beats, stronger vocals and any impactful sound on a song.
With your background as a beatboxer and visual artist, in what ways do these creative skills intersect when you write and perform your songs?
I always try to do at least a small beatbox showcase every time I perform! Eventually, I want to make some of my music being fully organic – with “mouth” sounds only, per say, it’s a plan for the future. I’m as well always drawing and designing my own cover arts and concepts for my music, so it’s quite helpful to mix all these worlds together!
Having just released your debut EP, which track do you feel best captures your reality, and what inspired its creation?
That’s hard to say, since the whole idea behind this EP was to be as genuine and raw with my emotions as I could, so in a way, all of them could fall into this category of capturing my life perfectly, but in different aspects. I do feel like “SOCIALMASKS” will always be that song that describes the struggles of being an autistic woman the best and more precisely though, if I had to point out one of them.
When it comes to your touring plans, how do you intend to connect with audiences on an emotional level during live performances?
I want to be real with every performance. Yes, I want to make people hyped and willing to dance as well, but I am hoping my passion for my own lyrical process comes through when I am singing on stage.
How do you balance the rawness of your personal backstory with the polished demands of performing on stage?
It is actually quite challenging – and funny. I feel like I am extremely awkward inside, but I did in the past take classes with my mother, who is a performance coach, and I just try to embody her lessons on my whole body in order to be a good performer. I have a lot to work on though, and I’m slowly trying to find ways to feel comfortable moving on stage regardless of my disability that kind of makes me a little terrified of being perceived! It’s the big irony of my life. I love to be an artist and show true myself just as much as I’m scared of being seen. It’s a work in progress for sure!
Looking ahead, what role do you see touring playing in the evolution of your music career, and how might it influence your future projects?
I’m still very underground and frankly, just want to put my music out there in the world and form my own community of people that enjoy what I do. Making connections with people is what makes this whole music thing stronger, and I look forward to what other opportunities this project will open up for me. These are the first steps of what will eventually become a bigger achievement but I want to enjoy and appreciate every detail of the journey.
Stream Warlet’s discography on Spotify and stay up to date with all her latest aural antics on Instagram and TikTok.
Interview by Amelia Vandergast